Mechanism for marking yarn on spun bobbins



MECHANISM FOR MARKING YARN on SPUN BOBBINS Filed July 27, 1967 Feb. 4, 1969 J. A. CUGINI EI'AL Sheet 1 N V E N T 0 RS JOHN HCUGINI LEO LCHABOT Feb. 4, 1969 J. A. CUGINI ETAL 3,425,395 MECHANISM FOR MARKING YARN ON SPUN BOBBINS Filed July 27, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 I 'INVENTOYRS United States Patent 7 Claims Int. Cl. Bc 1/12 I ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A marking apparatus having wheels movable tangentially to a row of wound bobbins with a chalk supply biased against the rim of the wheel for depositing color traces thereon.

Background of the invention (1) The invention discloses mechanism for placing distinguishing marks on the yarn of filled bobbins prior to the doffing operation of a spinning frame. The mechanism allows the placement of dots or traces of chalk in accordance with predetermined color coding for maintaining in separation a variety of yarns.

(2) Numerous means have been used for marking bobbins or the wound yarn upon the bobbins to differentiate between various counts or types of yarn in an attempt to keep them separate. Bobbin tips or butts have been marked in ways to indicate particular yarns, but this prohibited the interchanging of bobbins and required complete separation. Manual application of color-coded chalk marks applied to the yarn on filled bobbins has been used extensively. This required a separate operation by the machine operator and care had to be taken to select the correct colors to indicate the yarn presently on the frame. Two or more colors were diflicult to apply and chalk breakage added to the time element. Automatic devices which are propelled along a special rail of the spinning frame and mark bobbins in passing are known in the art. Such a mechanism is shown in US. Patent No. 3,227,134 to J. Wagner where a series of jets are arranged to spray liquid dye onto the yarn of spinning bobbins. In many instances the use of liquid dye was not desirable and numerous complications were involved in using liquid dye and providing the necessary pressure. The instant invention seeks to simplify and improve the means for marking the filled bobbins to be effected during the mechanical doffing operation.

Summary of the invention This invention pertains to mechanism for placing marks on the yarn of wound bobbins in predetermined colors or combinations of two or more colors and more particularly to mechanism for moving wheels with chalk traces applied to their rims along a spinning frame in a manner to deposit traces of the chalk upon the bobbin yarn.

In the preferred embodiment the mechanism is shown in combination with a bobbin dofilng device of the type where the bobbins are dotfed successively as the device is moved from one end of a spinning frame to the other. With this combination each bobbin is marked distinctively by the inventive mechanism just prior to being raised from its spindle by the dofiing cams. The marking mechanism of the invention need not be combined with a doifer but could be operated as a unit in a manner to transport it along the front of a spinning frame by any motive means, as by an electric motor.

With the invention disclosed herein, a color code of easily removable chalk may be placed upon all the bobbins of a particular frame during the doffing operation by the expedient of inserting a previously prepared marking unit before 'dofiing each frame.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a codemarking mechanism for placing chalk traces automatically on filled bobbins.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bobbin marking mechanism to be moved along a spinning frame into contact successively with each bobbin.

It is another object of the invention to provide a codernarking mechanism which shall be readily placed upon and which shall function with a bobbin dofiing device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rotatable marking wheel having a rim surface to retain a coating of dry chalk for transfer by contact to the yarn wound on a bobbin.

It is a further object to provide for the easy interchangeability of a plurality of marking wheels to conform with the code required for any particular yarn.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a marking mechanism holder suitable for retaining a onecolor single wheel device or a dual-wheel device for marking two colors simultaneously.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are described.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be described by reference to specific v embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of the invention fixed upon a bobbin doffing carriage with both the invention and the 'dofiing mechanism in a retracted or non-functional position;

FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of FIG. 1 with the invention in the advanced or operable position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a modified single roll device shown partially in section disclosing the means for biasing the chalk stick toward the wheel, which is common to both embodiments.

Description of the preferred embodiments Now referring to the drawings, a bobbin dofiing carriage 20 is adapted to be partially supported upon a spinning frame by wheels 21 (one shown) for movement therealong from one end to the other. A dofiing device, generally designated 22, has lifting cams 23 and 24 whose function is well known and are not a part of the instant invention. It is only necessary to explain that the dotling device 22 is pivotally movable from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to an advanced position in which the cam 23 would align with the butts of a row of bobbins held by the spinning frame. The instant invention is secured to the carriage 20 in a position to just precede the cams 23 and 24 in the direction of their operative movement. Should it not be desirable to use an automative doffing device, the instant invention could be mounted upon a carriage mechanism of its own and moved along the spinning frame by any suitable means.

A supporting bracket 25 is fastened to the carriage 20 by bolts 26 and has a bearing portion 27 for the pivotal support of a stud 28. The stud 28 extends out from the bearing portion 27 as a flattened support arm 29 (FIG. 3) where a channel member 30 is fastened by any fixed means as by screws (not shown). The channel member 30 is fastened near one of its ends to the arm 29 so that in pivoting upon stud 28, it will assume the upwardly directed position shown in FIG. 1 and a generally horizontal position as seen in FIG. 2.

At the lower end of the channel member 30, when in the upwardly directed position, is a T-shaped stop 31. The stop 31 is slidably adjustable within the channel member 30 and may be locked in any position by tightening-screws 32 and 33 (FIG. 3). The stop 31 is used to vary the available length of the channel member 30 in adjusting the position of the marking mechanism as will be explained. Shoulder portions 34 will strike the screws 32 and 33 to restrict complete withdrawal of the stop 31.

A support rod 35 is fastened to the under surface of the channel member 30 and supports in fixed separation two fiat parallel cams 36 and 37 by being soldered therebetween (FIGS. 1 and 3). A yoke 38 is also soldered to the flanges of earns 36 and 37 to reinforce the parallel relationship of said cams. A face plate 39 (FIG. 1) is pivotally movable with the doffing device 22 and carries a fixed stud 40 (FIG. 2), on the outward end of which is a roller follower 41. The follower 41 is positioned between the parallel cams 36 and 37 and, when moved in an are by the face plate 39, will pivot the earns 36 and 37, together with the channel member 30, to either of the above stated positions.

The marking mechanism is removably supported by the channel member 30 and is placed into and out of the marking location by the pivotal action received through the cams 36 and 37. The single unit disclosed in FIG. 4 will be first explained, it being understood that the preferred embodiment comprises the combination of a pair of identical units. An elongated blade 42 has an open ended tube 43 fixed longitudinally thereon as by soldering, with an end 44 of the tube directed toward the center of a wheel 45 which is rotatably fastened to the blade 42. The wheel 45 freely rotates on a stud 46 which is fastened through a slide member 47 movably held in a slot 48 cut into the end of the blade 42 (FIG. 3). A nut 49, threaded onto the stud 46, tightens down a clip 50 having a turnedunder end 51 which is inserted into a lengthened hole 52 in the blade 42. The extent of the hole 52 permits radial movement of the wheel 45 toward the tube end 44. The wheel 45 has a rough knurled rim 53 which is aligned with a stick of dry marking chalk 54 slidably held within the tube 43. The chalk is chosen from a variety of colors and should be a type easily removable from the fabric during finishing. A spring 55, such as a Negator Spring, manufactured by Hunter Spring Co., Lansdale, Pa., is fastened within the tube 43 by a screw 56 (FIG. 3) threaded into the blade 42. The spring 55 will exert a nearly constant pressure against the end of the chalk 54 thereby urging it toward the rim 53 where a colored coating of chalk will be deposited as the wheel 45 is rotated. To replenish the chalk it is only necessary to insert any pointed instrument into a slot 57 of the tube 43 and unwind the spring 55 by drawing it toward the outer end 58 of the tube 43 (FIG. 4).

The blade 42 is slidably supported in the overlapping channel member 30 and any one of a number of such blades, having a variety of chalk colors, is interchangeable therein. The blade 42 is held secure by the opposing pressure of four ball plunger type screws 59 such as those manufactured by Vlier Engineering Corp., Los Angeles, California. The screws 59 (FIG. 3) are directed transversely into the channel member 30 and will retain the blade 42 at its full adjustable depth against the stop 31.

With the blade 42 inserted and the mechanism advanced by the cams 36 and 37 to the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 45 is in its operable condition. The carriage 20 in movin along a frame will cause the rim 53 to contact a filled bobbin 60 and transfer a trace of color on the yarn (FIG. 2). The wheel 45 will be rotated by contacting a succession of bobbins and will pick up a continual coating of chalk from the chalk stick 54. The wheel 45 is urged away from the end 44 by the pressure exerted through the chalk 54 by the spring 55. This pressure is easily overcome and the wheel may reciprocate horizontally within the limit of the hole 52 to allow for variations in bobbin diameters.

To permit the use of a marking code having two colors, the mechanism supported on the blade 42 is duplicated and two identical blade units are fastened together as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. One of the units inverted and the two tubes 43 are soldered together with two separator blocks 61 and 62 in between. The pair of units, when fastened together in this manner, will be supported by the channel member 30 by inserting either one of the blades 42 as seen in FIGS 1 and 2. A separating plate 63 is soldered to a tube end 44 (FIG. 2) between the two ends of chalk to prevent intermixing of colors.

Variations in the bobbin position on ditferent spinning frames may be overcome by resetting the stop 31 to provide horizontal adjustment for the wheel 45.

A plurality of marking units may be available, each having its colored chalk to distinguish a particular yarn, with all units being interchangeable in the channel member 30. When moving the doffing device between frames, it is only necessary to insert the correctly coded unit and the marking mechanism will be moved into operating position automatically when the dofi'er is actuated.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. Mechanism for placing a distinguishing mark on the yarn of each one of a plurality of filled bobbins standing uprightly in a row upon a spinning frame, said mechanism comprising (a) a color transferring rotatable wheel for frictionally contacting the yarn held by each one of said bobbins successively,

(b) carriage means movable along the spinning frame parallel with the row of bobbins for transporting said wheel,

(c) means for depositing a transferable color coating upon said rotatable wheel during movement thereof along said spinning frame which includes a replaceable stick of dry colored marking chalk having an open-ended tubular member for retaining said chalk in radial relationship with said rotatable wheel,

(d) spring means disposed so as to impel said chalk through one of said open ends in said tubular member toward said rotatable wheel, and

(e) a supporting means removably carried by said carriage means for positioning said chalk and rotatable wheel.

2. Mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said sup porting means includes an elongated blade member having said tubular member fixedly mounted longitudinally thereon, and having said rotatable wheel attached to said blade member so that said tubular member is aligned with said cylindrical rim.

3. Mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said rotatable wheel is radially movable relative to said blade member within a fixed range toward and away from said able wheel is continually urged away from said tubular member by said chalk being impelled by said spring.

5. Mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said supporting means includes an overlapping channel member for slidably receiving said blade member, and an adjustable stop for varying the position of said blade member 5 relative to said carriage means.

6. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 which further includes camming means for advancing and retracting said rotatable wheel between operable and inoperable positions.

7. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein said blade member, in combination with said tubular member and said rotatable wheel, is duplicated to form an identical 6 pair, and wherein said pair is united reversely by joining the tubular members of said pair in matching opposition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,404,462 7/ 1946 Schlums 242-1 3,227,134 1/1966 Wagner 118-315 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

10 ROBERT 1. SMITH, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 118-3 15 

